a. Austria is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen
Agreement.
Since March 1995, a 'borderless' region known as the Schengen
area has been declared covering the following states: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland,
Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden.
Schengen countries now issue standard Schengen visas,
and nationals holding visas issued by one of the Schengen
countries are, in principle, permitted to travel freely within
the borders of all 15. However, since Schengen states are
still free to decide their own visa requirements, entry regulations
may vary and nationals not requiring a visa for one Schengen
country may require one for other Schengen countries. This
has various practical implications and for example, travellers
may be refused entry to a Schengen country for which they
do not require a visa if holding onward tickets to a country
for which they do require a visa.
Travellers should check with the authorities of the country
they intend to visit as to whether they require a visa. If
visiting more than one Schengen country, the traveller should
apply for the Schengen visa to the Embassy/Consulate of the
first or main country to be visited.
PASSPORTS
Passport valid for at least three months after the last day
of the intended visit required by all except:
1. nationals of EU countries, Liechtenstein, Monaco and Switzerland,
who may enter with a valid national ID card
VISAS
Required by all except the following for stays of up to three
months:
a. nationals of EU countries and nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Norway and Switzerland for an unlimited period
b. 2. nationals of American Samoa, Andorra, Argentina, Aruba,
Australia, Bolivia, Bonaire, Brazil, British Overseas Territories,
Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica,
Croatia, Curaçao, East Timor, El Salvador, French Guiana,
Greenland, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Honduras,
Israel (excluding nationals holding Palestinian passports),
Japan, Jersey, Korea (Rep), Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico,
Monaco, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Nicaragua, Northern
Mariana Islands, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania,
Saba, St Eustatius, St Maarten, San Marino, Singapore, Tahiti
and her Islands, Uruguay, USA, US Virgin Islands, Vatican
City and Venezuela for tourist stays of up to three months.
c. transit passengers continuing their journey by the same
or first connecting aircraft, provided holding valid onward
or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Note:
Nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea,
Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia
and Sri Lanka passing through Austria always require a transit
visa, even when not leaving the airport. Transit passengers
are advised to check transit regulations with the relevant
Embassy or Consulate before travelling
Types
of visa and cost
Types of visa and cost: A uniform type of visa, the Schengen
visa, is issued for all types of visit, costing £24.50.
Note
a. Prices may change with the prevalent exchange rate, so
visitors are advised to check the exact price before applying.
b. Spouses and children of EU nationals (providing spouse’s
passport and the original marriage certificate are produced),
and nationals of some other countries, receive their visas
free of charge, enquire at Embassy for details.
Validity
Validity according to documents presented. Visas cannot be
extended, a new application must be made each time.
Application
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy and see Contact
Addresses section). Travellers visiting just one Schengen
country should apply to the Consulate of that country, travellers
visiting more than one Schengen country should apply to the
Consulate of the country chosen as the main destination or
the first country they will enter that requires them to have
a visa (if they have no main destination).
Note:
Visa applications can be sent by post or made in person, an
appointment will need to be arranged by telephone (telephone
number: (020) 7344 3289) or online (e-mail: visa@austria.org.uk
if arranging a visa from UK).
Application
requirements
a. Completed application form(s).
b. Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the validity
of the visa with at least one blank page for the visa sticker.
c. Fee (cash or postal order only).
d) Two passport-size photos.
e. Proof of transport (airline tickets, vehicle papers, train
reservation etc).
f. Proof of intention to return to home country (applicants
may submit return ticket or vehicle papers if returning by
car).
g. Confirmed hotel or tour reservation or letter from business
partner in Austria or letter of invitation from Austrian host.
h. An all-risk medical insurance policy covering duration
of visa (minimum coverage: £15).
i.Proof of occupation/student status.
j. Proof of sufficient financial means to fund stay in Austria
(minimum £30 per day per person). Applicants may submit
travellers cheques, a confirmed hotel booking, bank statements
or records from a similar financial institution.
k. For transit passengers, the visa from the destination country
must be obtained first.
l. Postal applicants should enclose a self-addressed, prepaid
envelope (registered or recorded delivery) for the return
of the passport. (
m. Original letter of invitation (verpflichtungserklärung),
legalised by a notary public solicitor/competent authority,
plus copy of Austrian passport/residence permit and proof
of sufficient funds of host, or, letter from Austrian business
partner, with company certifying financial responsibility
for applicant during stay, or, confirmed hotel reservation/confirmation
of tour.
Note
All documents must be submitted in both their original form,
plus one duplicate.
Working days required
Several weeks.
Temporary residence
Seek advice from the Austrian Embassy.
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